保乳术后放疗对乳腺癌局部淋巴结转移患者预后的影响

  目的  探讨术后放疗(post-mastectomy radiation therapy, PMRT)对局部淋巴结阳性行保乳手术的乳腺癌患者预后的影响, 针对不同的pN分期以及淋巴结转移率(lymph node ratio, LNR)提出更具针对性的术后放疗方案。  方法  回顾性分析天津医科大学肿瘤医院1998年2月至2007年3月152例行保乳手术并有局部淋巴结转移的原发浸润性乳腺癌患者的临床病理资料, 比较LNR和pN分期对患者预后的指导意义, 并在LNR基础上, 根据PMRT与否比较无病生存期(disease-free survival, DFS)和总生存期(overall survival, OS)。  结果  152例患者被分为pN1(114例)、pN2(23例)、pN3(15例), 其中LNR < 0.21为114例, 位于0.21~0.65为26例, >0.65为12例。单因素分析显示淋巴结切检总数、pN、LNR、雌激素受体(estrogen receptor, ER)状态、孕激素受体(progesterone receptor, PR)状态、放疗与否均与DFS、OS具有相关性(P < 0.05), 诊断年龄和化疗方案仅与OS具有相关性(P < 0.05)。多因素分析显示, LNR、PMRT依然是DFS、OS的独立预测指标(P < 0.05), 而pN差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);分组分析时仅在LNR < 0.21术后放疗对预后的影响差异有统计学意义。  结论  LNR作为一个独立预测指标, 可用于评价行保留乳房手术治疗发生淋巴结转移的乳腺癌患者的预后。针对不同的LNR分级, 需要进一步细化PMRT的适应症。      

腋窝淋巴结清扫总数在预测淋巴结阴性乳腺癌患者预后中的价值

目的探讨腋窝淋巴结清扫总数在预测淋巴结阴性乳腺癌患者预后中的价值。方法采用Kaplan-Meier法和多因素回归分析方法,对138例有完整随访资料的淋巴结阴性乳腺癌患者的生存情况及影响因素进行分析。结果本组患者随访时间为33-96月,中位随访时间89月。5年总生存率为93.5%,无瘤生存率为80.1%。单因素分析显示,腋窝淋巴结清扫总数影响淋巴结阴性乳腺癌患者的预后(χ2=6.24,P<0.05),多因素回归分析发现腋窝淋巴结清扫总数是影响淋巴结阴性乳腺癌患者预后的独立因素之一(P=0.025)。结论手术清扫腋窝淋巴结数目可反映区域淋巴结清扫的彻底性以及评价术后病理分期的准确性,是影响淋巴结阴性乳腺癌患者预后的独立预后因素之一。     

The impact of axillary lymph nodes removed in staging of node-positive breast carcinoma

PURPOSE: Number of positive lymph nodes in the axilla and pathologic lymph node status (pN) have a great impact on staging according to the current American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system of breast carcinoma. Our aim was to define whether the total number of removed axillary lymph nodes influences the pN and thus the staging. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The records of 798 consecutive invasive breast cancer patients with T1-3 tumors and positive axillary lymph nodes who underwent modified radical mastectomy between 1999 and 2005 in our hospital were reviewed. The total number of removed nodes were grouped, and compared with the patient and tumor characteristics and the influence of the number of nodes removed on the staging was analyzed. RESULTS: The proportion of patients with > or =4 positive nodes (59%), and pN3 status (51%) were the highest in the group with 21-25 nodes removed. Compared with patients with 1-20 nodes removed, the proportion of patients with > or =4 positive nodes (52%), and pN3 status (46%) were significantly higher in those with more than 20 nodes removed. Although the proportion of Stage IIA and IIB decreased, the proportion of Stage IIIA and IIIC increased in patients with >20 nodes removed compared with those with 1-20 nodes removed. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with axillary node-positive breast carcinoma, staging is highly influenced by total number of removed nodes. Levels I-III axillary dissection with more than 20 axillary lymph nodes removed could lead to more effective adjuvant chemotherapy and increases substantially the proportion of patients to receive radiotherapy.     

Prognostic value of lymph node ratio in poor prognosis node‐positive breast cancer patients in Saudi Arabia

Aim: Women in Saudi Arabia develop breast cancer at a young age with high prevalence of poor prognostic features. Because of such features, it is necessary to examine prognostic factors in this population. One such factor is the prognostic role of lymph node ratio (LNR). Methods: We performed retrospective analyses of patients with invasive non‐metastatic breast cancer who underwent axillary lymph node dissection and had one or more positive axillary lymph nodes. Results: Two hundred and seventeen patients were considered eligible for the analysis. The median age was 46 years. At a median follow‐up of 39.8 months, the median disease‐free survival (DFS) was 67.3 months (95% CI, 50.4 to 84.3 months). Neither the classification of patients based on positive lymph node (pN) staging system, nor the absolute number of pN prognosticated DFS. Conversely, age ≤ 35 years at diagnosis, grade 3 tumors and the intermediate (>0.20 to ≤0.65) and high (>0.65) LNR categories were the only variables that were independently associated with adverse DFS. Using these variables in a prognostic model allowed the classification of patients into three distinctive risk strata. The overall survival (OS) in this series was 92.5 months (95% CI, 92.1–92.6). Only ER negative tumor adversely influenced OS. Conclusion: Analysis of survival outcome of mostly young patients with early breast cancer identified adverse prognostic variables affecting DFS. If the utility of the derived model including LNR is proven in a larger patient population, it may replace the use of absolute number of positive axillary lymph nodes.     

Number of negative lymph nodes should be considered for incorporation into staging for breast cancer

This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of the number of involved lymph nodes (pN), number of removed lymph nodes (RLNs), lymph node ratio (LNR), number of negative lymph nodes (NLNs), and log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) in breast cancer patients. The records of 2,515 breast cancer patients who received a mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery were retrospectively reviewed. The log-rank test was used to compare survival curves, and Cox regression analysis was performed to identify prognostic factors. The median follow-up time was 64.2 months, and the 8-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were 74.6% and 82.3%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that pN stage, LNR, number of RLNs, and number of NLNs were significant prognostic factors for DFS and OS (all, P < 0.05). LODDS was a significant prognostic factor for OS (P = 0.021). Multivariate analysis indicated that pN stage and the number of NLNs were independent prognostic factors for DFS and OS. A higher number of NLNs was associated with higher DFS and OS, and a higher number of involved lymph nodes were associated with poorer DFS and OS. Patients with a NLNs count > 9 had better survival (P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that the NLNs count had a prognostic value in patients with different pT stages and different lymph node status (log-rank P < 0.05). For breast cancer, pN stage and NLNs count have a better prognostic value compared to the RLNs count, LNR, and LODDS. Number of negative lymph nodes should be considered for incorporation into staging for breast cancer.     

Prognostic value of lymph node ratio in node-positive breast cancer in Egyptian patients

BackgroundBreast cancer in Egypt is the most common cancer among women and is the leading cause of cancer mortality. Traditionally, axillary lymph node involvement is considered among the most important prognostic factors in breast cancer. Nonetheless, accumulating evidence suggests that axillary lymph node ratio should be considered as an alternative to classical pN classification.Materials and methodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of patients with operable node-positive breast cancer, to investigate the prognostic significance of axillary lymph node ratio.ResultsFive-hundred patients were considered eligible for the analysis. Median follow-up was 35 months (95% CI 32–37 months), the median disease-free survival (DFS) was 49 months (95% CI, 46.4–52.2 months). The classification of patients based on pN staging system failed to prognosticate DFS in the multivariate analysis. Conversely, grade 3 tumors, and the intermediate (>0.20 to ⩽0.65) and high (>0.65) LNR were the only variables that were independently associated with adverse DFS. The overall survival (OS) in this series was 69 months (95% CI 60–77).ConclusionThe analysis of outcome of patients with early breast cancer in Egypt identified the adverse prognostic effects of high tumor grade, ER negativity and intermediate and high LNR on DFS. If the utility of the LNR is validated in other studies, it may replace the use of absolute number of axillary lymph nodes.     

Prognostic significance of axillary node and infraclavicular lymph node status after mastectomy

AIMS: The American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system for breast carcinomas has been revised. According to this revised staging system, metastasis to infraclavicular lymph nodes and number of positive axillary nodes have prognostic significance and a new stage, stage IIIC, has been introduced. The aim of this study is to investigate the association of positive axillary nodes by level and number with survival and stage migration between the old and the new stages in a large series of mastectomy patients. METHODS: Data from 1277 consecutive breast cancer patients treated by mastectomy were studied, retrospectively. Prognostic value of number of positive axillary nodes and entirely invasion of apex axillary nodes were analysed. Survival curves were generated by Kaplan-Meier method, and multivariate analysis was performed by Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: Five-year survival rates for metastasis to axillary level III and for stage IIIC breast cancer were 35.4 and 38.2%, respectively. Metastases to apex axillary nodes, 4-9 and 10 or more positive lymph nodes were found to be adverse and independent prognostic factors for survival in lymph node positive patients. CONCLUSION: Invasion of infraclavicular nodes and 4-9 and > or =10 positive axillary lymph nodes were independent predictors for survival in node positive breast carcinomas in this series. Patients with the new stage IIIC had the worst survival among breast cancer patients.     

Prognostic significance of the number of axillary lymph nodes removed in patients with node-negative breast cancer.

PURPOSE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the association between the number of lymph nodes removed at axillary dissection and recurrence and survival for patients with node-negative invasive breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Subjects were 2,278 women with pathologically node-negative invasive breast cancer, diagnosed from 1989 to 1993 in British Columbia, Canada. Women aged > or = 90 years, with pure in-situ, bilateral invasive breast cancer or T4, N1, N2, or M1 stage, or who had axillary radiation were excluded. Two groups were defined for analysis: node-negative with no systemic therapy (n = 1,468) and node-negative with systemic therapy (n = 810). Median follow-up was 7.5 years. Prognostic variables assessed were age at diagnosis, tumor size, tumor grade, invasion of lymphatics, veins, or nerves, estrogen receptor status, and number of nodes removed. RESULTS: For patients not receiving systemic therapy, regional relapse was significantly increased with smaller numbers of nodes removed (P =.03). There was a trend toward shorter overall survival with fewer nodes removed (P =.06). Node-negative patients who received systemic therapy did not have a higher regional relapse rate or shorter overall survival when fewer nodes were recovered. CONCLUSION: Recovery of a small number of negative lymph nodes at axillary dissection likely understages patients and leads to undertreatment, resulting in an increased regional relapse rate and poorer survival. The use of systemic therapy may overcome this effect. The number of nodes removed, in conjunction with other prognostic factors, may be useful in selecting node-negative patients for systemic therapy.     

Prognosis of node-positive breast cancer patients who underwent parasternal lymph node biopsy during surgery followed by doxorubicin- or mitoxantrone-containing adjuvant chemotherapy

The authors examined the survival rates of 60 patients with breast cancer who underwent parasternal lymph node biopsy during surgery with axillary lymph node dissection and had histologically confirmed axillary node metastasis followed by adjuvant doxorubicin- or mitoxantrone-containing combination chemotherapy to ascertain whether administration of anthracycline or its analogue improved the prognosis of both axillary and parasternal node-positive patients. The overall survival rate (OS) for the parasternal node-positive patients (n=13, 21.7%) was 30.6%, and relapse-free survival rate (RFS) fell to 0% at the 104-month follow-up. Although the survival rate for all axillary node-positive patients was similar to those in previous reports, the OS and RFS for both axillary and parasternal node-positive patients were significantly worse than that for axillary node-positive and parasternal node-negative patients, despite treatment with adjuvant doxorubicin- or mitoxantrone-containing combination chemotherapy. Other intensive adjuvant treatment strategies are needed to reduce distant metastases for high-risk breast cancer patients having both axillary and parasternal nodes positive.     

Low number of examined lymph nodes in node-negative breast cancer patients is an adverse prognostic factor.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to determine whether the number of lymph nodes removed at axillary dissection is associated with recurrence and survival in node-negative breast cancer (NNBC) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 1606 women with pathologically node-negative T1-T3 invasive breast cancer. Median follow-up was 61 months (range 2-251). Potential prognostic factors assessed included: number of axillary lymph nodes examined, age, menopausal status, tumor size, histological type, tumor grade, estrogen receptor(ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and HER2. RESULTS: At 5 years, relapse-free survival (RFS) rate was 85% and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) rate was 94%. In univariate analysis, factors significantly associated with lower RFS and BCSS were: fewer than six lymph nodes examined (RFS, P = 0.01; BCSS, P = 0.007), tumor size >2 cm, grade III, negative ER or PR. Statistically significant factors for lower RFS and BCSS in multivariate analysis were: fewer than six lymph nodes examined [RFS, hazard ratio (HR) 1.36, P = 0.029; BCSS, HR 1.87, P = 0.005], tumor size >2 cm, tumor grade III and negative PR. CONCLUSIONS: Examination of fewer than six lymph nodes is an adverse prognostic factor in NNBC because it could lead to understaging. Six or more nodes need to be examined at axillary dissection to be confident of a node-negative status. This may be useful, in conjunction with other prognostic factors, in the assessment of NNBC patients for adjuvant systemic therapy.     

Comparison of 4 lymph node staging systems for the prognostic prediction of esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma with ≤15 retrieved lymph nodes

BackgroundDirectly applying the 8th American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Tumor Node Metastasis (TNM) staging system to evaluate the prognosis of patients with esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma (AEG) might lead to under-staging, when insufficient lymph nodes were retrieved during surgery. The prognostic value of 4 lymph nodes staging systems, 8th AJCC TNM N stage, lymph node ratio (LNR), log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS), and negative lymph nodes (NLN), in AEG patients having ≤15 retrieved lymph nodes were compared.Methods869 AEG patients diagnosed between 2004 and 2012 with ≤15 retrieved lymph nodes were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were conducted to assess the association of cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) with 8th AJCC TNM N stage, LNR, LODDS, and NLN respectively. Predictive survival ability was assessed and compared using linear trend χ2 score, likelihood ratio (LR) test, Akaike information criterion (AIC), Harrell concordance index (C-index), and Receiver Operative Curve (ROC).ResultsThe N stage, LNR, LODDS, and NLN were all independent prognostic predictors for CSS and OS in multivariate Cox models. Comparatively, LODDS demonstrated higher linear trend χ2 score, LR test score, C-index and integrated area under the curve (iAUC) value, and lower AIC in CSS compared to the other three systems. Moreover, for patients without regional lymph node metastasis, NLN showed higher C-index and lower AIC.ConclusionsLODDS showed better predictive performance than N, LNR, and NLN among patients with node-positive patients while NLN performed better in node-negative patients. A combination of LODDS and NLN has the potential to provide more prognostic information than the current AJCC TNM classification.     

Association between extent of axillary lymph node dissection and patient,tumor, surgeon,and hospital factors in patients with early breast cancer

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in patients with breast cancer is crucial for accurate staging, provides excellent regional tumor control, and is included in the standard of care for the surgical treatment of breast cancer. However, the extent of ALND varies, and the extent of dissection and the number of lymph nodes that comprise an optimal axillary dissection are under debate. Despite conflicting evidence, several studies have shown that improved survival is correlated with more lymph nodes removed in both node-negative and node-positive patients. The purpose of this study is to determine which patient, tumor, surgeon, and hospital characteristics are associated with the number of nodes excised in early breast cancer patients. METHODS: A random sample of 938 women with node-negative breast cancer was drawn from the Ontario Cancer Registry and the data supplemented with chart reviews. The extent of axillary dissection was studied by examining the number of nodes examined in relation to the patient, tumor, surgeon, and hospital factors. RESULTS: The mean number of lymph nodes excised was 9.8 (SD = 4.8; range, 1-31), and 49% of patients had >/=10 nodes excised. Lower patient age was associated with the excision of more lymph nodes (>/=10 nodes: 63% of patients <40 years vs. 38% of patients >/=80 years). Surgeon academic affiliation and surgery in a teaching hospital were highly correlated with each other and were significantly associated with the excision of >/=10 nodes. The number of nodes excised was not associated with any tumor factors, nor with the breast operation performed. These results were confirmed with multivariable models. CONCLUSIONS: Even though the number of lymph nodes found in the pathologic specimen can be influenced by factors other than surgical technique (e.g., number of nodes present, specimen handling, and pathologic examination), this study shows significant variation of this variable and an association with several patient and surgeon/hospital factors. This variation and the association with survival warrant further study and effort at greater consistency.     

Metastatic Axillary Lymph Node Ratio (LNR) is Prognostically Superior to pN Staging in Patients with Breast Cancer - Results for 804 Chinese Patients from a Single Institution

The number of axillary lymph nodes involved and retrieved are important prognostic factors in breast cancer.The purpose of our study was to investigate whether the lymph node ratio (LNR) is a better prognostic factor inpredicting disease-free survival (DFS) for breast cancer patients as compared with pN staging. The analysis wasbased on 804 breast cancer patients who had underwent axillary lymph node dissection between 1999 and 2008in Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center. Optimal cutoff points of LNR were calculated using X-tile softwareand validated by bootstrapping. Patients were then divided into three groups (low-, intermediate-, and high-risk)according to the cutoff points. Predicting risk factors for relapse were performed according to Cox proportionalhazards analysis. DFS was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test. The5-year DFS rate decreased significantly with increasing LNRs and pN. Univariate analysis found that the pT ,pN, LNR, molecule type, HER2, pTNM stage and radiotherapy well classified patients with significantly differentprognosis. By multivariate analysis, only LNR classification was retained as an independent prognostic factor.Furthermore, there was a significant prognostic difference among different LNR categories for pN2 category,but no apparent prognostic difference was seen between different pN categories in any LNR category. Therefore,LNR rather than pN staging is preferable in predicting DFS in node positive breast cancer patients, and routineclinical decision-making should take the LNR into consideration.     

The importance of extracapsular extension of axillary lymph node metastases in breast cancer

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prognostic value of extracapsular extension (ECE) of axillary lymph node metastases in 221 patients with axillary lymph node-positive, T1-T2 breast cancer treated at Dokuz Eylul University Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The clinical records of patients with axillary node-positive, pathological stage II-III breast cancer examined at Dokuz Eylul University Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology, between 1991-1999 were reviewed. All patients underwent modified radical mastectomy (MRM) or wide excision with axillary node dissection. Axillary surgery consisted of level I-II dissection. The number of lymph nodes dissected from the axilla was equal to or more than 10 in 92% of the patients. All 221 patients had pathological T1-T2 tumors. The number of involved lymph nodes was four or more in 112 51% patients and less than four in the remaining 109 (49%). In 127 (57.5%) patients, extracapsular extension was detected in axillary lymph nodes. Tangential radiotherapy fields were used to treat the breast or chest wall. Lymphatic irradiation was performed in 215 (97%) patients with fields covering both the supraclavicular and axillary regions. Median radiotherapy dose for lymph nodes was 5000 cGy in 25 fractions. The following factors were evaluated: age, menopausal status, histological tumor type, pathological stage, number of involved axillary lymph nodes, and extracapsular extension. The chi-square test was used to compare proportions of categorical covariates between groups of patients with and without ECE. Survival analyses were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method. The Cox regression model was used for the analysis of prognostic factors. RESULTS: The median follow-up for the survivors was 55 months (range, 19-23). The median age was 52 years (range, 28-75). In patients with extracapsular extension the percentages of pathological stage III (22% vs 4.3%, P < 0.0001 and involvement of four or more axillary nodes (25.5% vs 69.3%, p < 0.0000) were higher. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant correlation between the presence of ECE and disease-free survival (DFS) (P = 0.04) as well as distant metastases-free survival (DMFS) (P = 0.002), but there was no significant correlation between ECE and overall survival (OS). Only an elevated number of involved axillary lymph nodes significantly reduced the overall survival (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The rate of extracapsular extension was found to be directly proportional to the number of axillary lymph nodes involved and the stage of disease. Extracapsular extension had significant prognostic value in both univariate and multivariate analysis for DFS and DMFS but not OS. The reason for ECE not affecting OS might be related to the much more dominant prognostic effect of the involvement of four or more axillary nodes on OS. Studies with more patients are needed to demonstrate that ECE is a likely independent prognostic factor for OS.     

淋巴结转移数和淋巴结转移率与乳腺癌预后关系的分析比较

  目的  探讨淋巴结转移率(lymph node ratio, LNR)是否能更优于淋巴结转移数(positive lymph nodes, PLN), 用于评价乳腺癌术后患者的复发风险和总生存时间。  方法  回顾性分析1089例淋巴结清扫数目为10枚或以上、术后经病理证实淋巴结转移阳性的原发性浸润性乳腺癌患者临床病理资料。  结果  单因素生存分析, 肿瘤大小分期, 组织学分级、ER/PR/HER-2状态、PLN、LNR、切检淋巴结总数、结外软组织侵犯、辅助治疗与患者RFS(relapse free survival, RFS)、OS(overall survival, OS)均具有明显的相关性(P < 0.05);多因素生存分析, 当PLN和LNR作为协变量分别进入Cox比例风险模型时, PLN和LNR均为患者RFS和OS的独立预测指标(P < 0.001);当PLN和LNR作为协变量同时进入Cox比例风险模型时, LNR依然是患者RFS和OS的独立预测指标(RFS: P < 0.001.OS: P=0.001), 而PLN不再是其独立预测指标(RFS: P=0.944, 0S: P=0.315)。  结论  相对于PLN而言, LNR能更好的评价乳腺癌术后患者的复发风险和总生存时间, 为乳腺癌危险度分级和临床医生制定辅助治疗方案提供更有力的参考依据。      

Prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after esophagectomy using the log odds of positive lymph nodes

To compare the log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) with the number of positive lymph nodes (pN), lymph node ratio (LNR), removed lymph node (RLN) count, and negative lymph node (NLN) count in determining the prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after esophagectomy. The records of patients with ESCC who received esophagectomy were retrospectively reviewed. The log-rank test was used to compare curves for overall survival (OS), and Cox regression analysis was performed to identify prognostic factors. The prognostic performance of the different lymph node staging systems were compared using the linear trend chi-square test, likelihood ratio chi-square test, and Akaike information criterion. A total of 589 patients were enrolled. Univariate Cox analysis showed that pN stage, LNR, RLN count, NLN count, and the LODDS were significantly associated with OS (p < 0.05 for all). Multivariate Cox analysis adjusted for significant factors indicated that LODDS was independent risk factor on overall survival (OS), and a higher LODDS was associated with worse OS (hazard ratio = 3.297, 95% confidence interval: 2.684–4.050, p < 0.001). The modified Tumor-LODDS-Metastasis staging system had better discriminatory ability, monotonicity, and homogeneity, and better optimistic prognostic stratification than the Tumor-Node-Metastasis staging system in determining the prognosis of patients with ESCC. The LODDS staging system was superior to other lymph node classifications in determining the prognosis of patients with ESCC after esophagectomy. LODDS may be incorporated into esophageal staging system if these results are eventually confirmed by other studies.     

Prognosis of Node-Positive Breast Cancer Patients Who Underwent Parasternal Lymph Node Biopsy During Surgery Followed by Doxorubicin- or Mitoxantrone-Containing Adjuvant Chemotherapy

Abstract

The authors examined the survival rates of 60 patients with breast cancer who underwent parasternal lymph node biopsy during surgery with axillary lymph node dissection and had histologically confirmed axillary node metastasis followed by adjuvant doxorubicin- or mitoxantrone-containing combination chemotherapy to ascertain whether administration of anthracycline or its analogue improved the prognosis of both axillary and parasternal node-positive patients. The overall survival rate (OS) for the parasternal node-positive patients (n=13, 21.7%) was 30.6%, and relapse-free survival rate (RFS) fell to 0% at the 104-month follow-up. Although the survival rate for all axillary node-positive patients was similar to those in previous reports, the OS and RFS for both axillary and parasternal node-positive patients were significantly worse than that for axillary node-positive and parasternal node-negative patients, despite treatment with adjuvant doxorubicin- or mitoxantrone-containing combination chemotherapy. Other intensive adjuvant treatment strategies are needed to reduce distant metastases for high-risk breast cancer patients having both axillary and parasternal nodes positive.     

The lymph node ratio as prognostic factor in node-positive breast cancer

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The clinical records of the node-positive breast cancer patients treated at our department were reviewed, to evaluate if there is a correlation between the ratio of involved axillary lymph nodes and the overall and cause specific survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1984 until July 2001, 2073 files from patients with an invasive breast carcinoma were submitted to retrospective analyses. In 810 cases, a node positive status was diagnosed. All pT-stages were included. The total number of dissected nodes (pNtot) and the number of involved nodes (pN+) were available for 741 patients. The ratio of nodal involvement (pN+%) was categorized into three groups, pN+%< or =10% (n = 212) between 11 and 50% (n = 346) and between 51 and 100% (n = 183). RESULTS: The actuarial overall survival (OS) at 5 and 10 years was, respectively, 78.2 and 59.1%. Cause specific survival (CSS) rates were, respectively, 83.6 and 69.1%. In univariate analyses, age (P = 0.01), grade (P = 0.02), pT-stage (P < 0.0001), chemotherapy (P = 0.0002), the number of involved nodes < or =3 versus >3 (pN+) (P < 0.0001) and ratio pN+% (P < 0.0001) were associated significantly with overall survival. A multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model found that pN+% was the most significant prognostic factor; pN+lost significance when pN+% was taken into account. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of positive lymph nodes in an axillary lymph node dissection appears to be an important prognostic factor for survival. The nodes ratio improved on the absolute numbers of involved axillary lymph nodes for assessment of prognosis.     

Follow-up study of HER-2/neu amplification in primary breast cancer

Amplification of the HER-2/neu oncogene was determined in 362 tumors from patients with primary breast cancer (185 node-positive patients and 177 node-negative patients). The overall amplification rate was 33% (30% for node-negative patients; 31% for patients with 1-3 positive nodes; 40% for patients with greater than 3 positive nodes). Gene copy number was not associated with axillary lymph node status, steroid receptor status, or patient age but was weakly correlated with the size of the primary tumor. Amplification of the HER-2/neu gene did not correlate with either disease-free or overall survival in univariate or multivariate analyses. The results were unambiguously negative for patients with node-negative disease. Although the univariate results for node-positive patients were marginally significant (P = 0.07), the significance was not retained in multivariate analyses. Thus, while HER-2/neu amplification may be biologically important in primary breast cancer, it will only be of marginal utility as a prognostic factor for predicting clinical outcome.     

Lymph node ratio and pN staging in patients with node-positive breast cancer: a report from the Korean breast cancer society

Patients with node-positive breast cancer are currently classified according to pN stage. Lymph node ratio (LNR), the ratio of positive to total removed lymph nodes, maybe a more useful prognostic factor in these patients. We therefore compared LNR and pN staging as prognostic factors in patients with node-positive breast cancer. Using two large prospective databases of the Korean Breast Cancer Registry (KBCR) and the Asan Medical Center (AMC) Breast Cancer Center of patients with LN-positive breast cancer from 1988 to 2005, we compared the ability of LNR and pN stage to predict patient survival by Cox regression analysis in the overall patient cohort and in subgroups categorized by age and intrinsic subtype. Patients were categorized into low- (≤0.20), intermediate- (>0.20 and ≤0.65), and high-risk (>0.65) LNR groups. The difference in mortality risk was greater among LNR groups than among patients staged pN1, pN2, and pN3, as assessed by disease-free survival (DFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS) rates. In contrast to LNR risk categories, the survival curves for pN1 and pN2 stage patients overlapped in those aged <35 years and those with her2/neu-enriched or triple-negative tumors. These findings were validated by analyzing a nationwide registry of 15,488 node-positive patients, which showed that patients with pN1 and intermediate LNR risk had poorer DFS (HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.4–2.2) and CSS (HR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.2) than patients with pN2 and low LNR risk. LNR is a better predictor of prognosis than pN stage in women with breast cancer, especially in high-risk patients, including younger women and women with her2/neu-enriched or triple-negative tumors. Treatment decisions should be based on LNR rather than on pN stage.